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Edwards on combating global poverty

From NBC's Mark MurrayPreviewing the speech he will give later today in New Hampshire, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards laid out his plans to combat global poverty. First, he wants the United States to lead a worldwide effort to expand primary education to developing countries. Second, he calls for expanding preventative health care to those places. Third, he advocates creating new economic and political opportunities in these countries (like with micro-financing and expanding democracy). And finally, he proposes creating a new Cabinet post for a person to supervise these efforts.

Despite many Americans' disillusionment with the Iraq war, Edwards argued, it's important for the United States to continue to play an important role in the world. "It is extremely important for America to stay involved, stay engaged," he said.